This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2015
One of the best catchers of all time, Carlton “Pudge” Fisk starred for both the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox. When Fisk retired at the end of the 1993 season, his 376 career homeruns placed him as the all-time career leader. During the 1990 season, Fisk passed Johnny Bench to grab the crown as the best hitting homerun hitter amongst catchers. Mike Piazza has since passed Fisk.
Issued for the 1990 season, this complete uniform dates to the final season the team played at old Comiskey Park. Built in 1910, the fabled stadium which was once the home to Shoeless Joe Jackson was torn down as the new park was built. Although not the style of shirt worn during the last home game at Ol’ Comiskey, available photo documentation verifies this as being a style worn by Fisk during the 1990 season.
Fisk was quite productive during the 1990 season season where he appeared in 137 games, belted 18 HR’s, and batted .285. This shirt was issued for Fisk to have been worn during any of the games which added to his Hall of Fame legacy.
This shirt was obtained directly from the Chicago White Sox via an upscale charity auction held in Sarasota, Fl. Here are the details:
Provenance: According to our consignor, a Sarasota resident, his family obtained this 1990 Carlton Fisk Chicago White Sox Game Worn Complete Uniform while attending the Florida Wine Fest Auction during the 1994 or 1995 event. MEARS was able to independently verify that the fest was indeed held during the time span of 1994-1995. Per our research the following information appears on the official website:
Florida Wine Fest
PO Box 4193
Sarasota, FL 34230- 4193
TEL: 941-952-1109, info@floridawinefest.org
Our Mission Statement:
To provide funding to qualified charitable organizations for programs assisting disadvantaged children, youth and families in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
Florida Winefest & Auction, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization.
We are celebrating our 25th in 2015. We will have awarded $8 Million in grants to 77 different charities since 1991.
MEARS has conducted a complete and thorough evaluation of the shirt, our findings:
Style: Issued as the white 6 four hole pearl button down with Velcro enclosure, round tail, the shirt has “White Sox” across the front in blue on red double tackle twill. No name on the back as was the correct style for 1990. The style was verified as being correct for issuance during the 1990 season.
Supplier (Rawlings): Per the MEARS Official Tagging Database, the style of tag was issued during the 1990 season and matches exemplars in our database. Other 1990 White Sox jersey supplied by Rawlings matching this style include:
1990 Frank Thomas
1990 Carlton Fisk (different shirt)
1990 Robin Ventura
Therefore, Rawlings was the correct supplier for 1990 White Sox home jerseys.
Size 48: Examination of the actual shirt confirms it matches the tagged size of 48. Period examples used for comparison confirm Fisk was a size 48 during the era. Other examples include:
1990 Fisk (48)
1991 Fisk (48)
1990 Fisk (48) road
Therefore, size 48 is confirmed for being correct for Fisk for the era.
Game Use: Shirt exhibits moderate game wear. There is some staining to the upper right chest of the shirt.
Final Grade (MEARS A9.5): Per the MEARS official grading and authentication worksheet, when compared to the 5 categories used for evaluation, MEARS Determined: The jersey compared quite favorably with respect to size, manufacturer, and style to what you would expect to find on a 1990 Chicago White Sox Carlton Fisk game worn jersey. The accompanying provenance supports this as being donated directly by the Chicago White Sox. ½ point was deducted for staining on front.
(78F0638)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS
(JSA Auction Letter)